Automatic thread tension compensating device for winding machines



June 10, 1941. M. J. MOHALE AUTOMATIC THREAD TENSION COMPENSATING DEVICEFOR WINDING MACHINES Filed June '7, 1938 Patented June 10, 1941 SATINGDEVICE FOR CHINES WINDING MA- Michael J. McHale, Scranton, Pa.

, Application June 7, 1938, Serial No. 212,350

4 Claims.

My invention relates to thread tensioning devices and. more particularlyto an automatic tension compensating arrangement adapted foruse withwinding machines and the like.

Heretofore, it has been proposed to use thread tensioning devices withwinding machines, wherein tension is applied to the thread by passing itthrough a pair of contacting discs, contact between the discs beingeffectedthrough the medium of a spring or other device adapted tomaintain the discs under pressure during the winding operation. It hasbeen proposed to use thread tensioning devices of the character whereinthe thread is passed between two opposed fabric surfaces, for'exampleplush or pile fabrics, for the purpose of creating a tension on thethread as it is pulled through a holder or other support provided withrfabric surfaces. Similarly it has also been suggested to use a system ofadjustable weights or levers, acting directly on rthe thread andsupported thereby or arranged to deflect the thread from its ,normalpath as it unwinds from the take-off bobbin.

While the prior art devices, will no doubt operate to provide a tensionon'the thread as it is being wound, they are open to several inherentobjections. Tensioning devices of vthe type in which spring pressedopposed discs are used, are not satisfactory for the'r'eason that thefriction between the disc surfaces and the thread, Vand I- therefore thethread tension, is dependent upon the pressure exerted by the spring andthe 'condition of the thread. lf the spring loses its resiliency or ifthe thread is oily, the discs do not create any tension, 'with theresult that the thread is wound on the take-up bobbin in a loosecondition, including knots or loops which have been formed as the threadunwinds from the takeoff bobbin. If a pair of opposed fabric surfaces isused for the purpose of putting the thread under tension as it passestherebetween, the thread tension decreases as the fabric surfaces wearand if the thread is oily, there is little or no friction between thethread and the surfaces, and hence no tension thereon between the pointsof take-off and take-0n, ofthe respective bobbins.

It is the purpose Vof ythe present invention, to overcome thedifficulties encountered in the prior art devices and to'provide athread tensioning arrangement for winding machines and the excess slackor variation in pull on either the l take-off or take-up sides of thetensioning device.

An object of my invention is to providev an improved automaticcompensating thread tensioning device for winding machines and the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved threadtensioning device adapted to provide a substantially uniform tension onthe thread under conventional winding conditions- Yet another object-ofmy invention is to pro- Vide an improved thread tensioning deviceadapted for use with standard winding machines.

Still another object of Ymy invention is to provide a combined threadtensioning device and automatic stop arrangement adapted to maintain therequired tension on a 'thready during the winding operation and tofunction as an automatic stop device to cut olf power to the windingmachine in eventl of breakage of a thread.

A further object of my invention is to provide an automatic compensatingthread tensioning device which is strong and sturdy in construction,consisting of but few parts, not liable to get out of order even afterlong and continued use. l

With these and other objects in View, which may be incident to myimprovements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to behereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that theseveral necessary elements, comprising my invention, may be varied inconstruction,-proportions and arrangement, without departing from thespirit and scope of the appended claims. Y

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown inthe accompanying drawing means for carrying the same into practicaleffect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applicationsto the particular constructions, which-for the purpose of explanation,have been made thevsubject of illustration.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing the improved thread tensionYdevice in the operative position on a winding machine. y

Fig. 2A is a detailed elevational viewof oneV of the tensioningdevices.i

Fig'. 3 is a. planview of the device shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detailed elevational-view of a modified form of thetensioning device; and

' Fig. 5 is an elevational view showing a modied form of support for thetensioning device.

Referring to the drawing and more/particularly to Figure' 1, the threadtensioning devices are shown in the operative' positionon a windingmachine. Bobbins I are mounted upon a suitable support 2 forming a partof the winding frame and attached to vertical supports 3 and 4 are twothread tensioning devices designated generally by numerals 5 and 6. Eachof the thread tensioning devices comprises a fixed arm 'I comprising abody portion formed with a support engaging section adapted to receivethe vertical rods 3 and 4. The body portion 'I is also provided with anopening 8 and recess or slot 9 adapted to receive the ends of a threadguide member In. Attached to the body portion,

in the vicinity of the support engaging section is a pivotal arm IIformed with an opening I2 and recess or slot I3 adapted to receive theends of a complementary thread guiding member I4. The arm may be pivotedto the body portion by means of a. suitable screw I5.

The tensioning device 6 is constructed somewhat similar to tensioningdevice 5, however, differs therefrom in the specific arrangement of theopenings to receive the thread guide members and also its position withrespect to the vertical support members 3 and 4. In connection withtension device it will be noted that the thread guide members IG and I4are supported in the body portion of the fixed arm I and pivotal arm IIrespectively by means of openings 8 and I2 together with slots 9' andI3. For the purpose of guiding and maintaining the threads in aseparated position after they pass through the tensioning devices, aseparating Wire IB is provided, which may be attached to support rod 4,by means of holder I6 or other suitable clamp.

In the operation of the tensioning device, thread II is passed throughthe wire guide members I!) and I4 through one of the loops formed on thewire separator I6 and then toa winding drum, cop, bobbin or other devicefor further manipulation or treatment of the thread. It will be notedthat as the thread is unwound from a bobbin, tension thereon ismaintained Vthrough the medium of the pivotal arm I I of the threadtensioning device. Since the thread is inserted through the opening inthe respective spirals which form the thread guide means, in event ofany slackening of the thread, arm II under the force of gravity willdrop downwardly carrying with it loops of thread formed betweenperipheral points of the loops on each wire. In other words the lengthof the path of travel of the thread through the tensioning device isvaried as the pivotal arm moves with respect to the fixed arm 1. It willthus be appreciated that with the improved tensioning device, the threadtension is automatically compensated for in event of a reduction intension due to increased slack, as for example, when more than one loopis removed from the take-off bobbin I, at one time or for any otherreason which would directly effect the pull `on the other side of thetensioning device, between the separating wire and the cop or bobbinupon which the thread is being wound.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that the thread guidingwires I 0 and I4 are wound in opposite directions, that is, the spiralsof thread guide member I0 may be formed with a left-hand spiral and thecoils of thread guide member I4 would then be formed with spirals in theopposite direction. The purpose of this arrangement of the direction ofthe spirals is to provide complementary loops which will properly nestor interlace to form an opening of substantially uniform diameterbetween successive spirals when the pivotal arm is in its normalhorizontal position.

In order to attach the thread guide members to the xed and pivotal arms,the ends I3 and I8 are turned back upon the body portions 'I and IIrespectively, thus forming recesses 9 and I3 adapted to receive the endsof the wires. The other ends of the guide wires are inserted in openings8 and I2 formed in the body portions II. To properly support thetensioning device upon the Winding frame or other support members 3 and4, the body portion 1 is turned back upon itself, as shown in Fig. 3, toprovide two openings or recesses adapted to receive the vertical rods 3and 4. 'I'he portion of the body of the tension member which is turnedback upon itself to form a clamp is provided with a screw member I5intermediate of the recesses whereby it may be securely clamped tosupporting rods 3 and 4 by means of nut I9 and thus hold the fixed armof the tensioning device securely in the operative position.

Referring to Fig. 4, which is an enlarged detailed View of tensioningdevice 6 shown in Figure l, it will be noted that the thread guidingwires I0 and I4 are supported upon the arms I and II by means ofopenings 8 and I2 formed in these arms together with slots 9' and I3which are formed by slitting the material of the arms and pressing thecut-out portion outwardly to form an opening between the expandedmaterial. It will also be noted that thread device 6, as shown in Fig.4, differs slightly from the construction and arrangement of tensioningdevice 5 shown in Figure 1, as regards the method of mounting the threadguiding wires and also in the specific structure of the body portion ofthe fixed arm. According to the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, the bodyportion 1 is formed with a top flange 20 formed integral with thevertical portion 'I'. In order to clamp the tensioning members tovertical rods 3 and 4, a suitable clamp 2l comprising a separate pieceof i metal shaped to conform with the configuration of rods 3 and 4 isprovided. The clampinig member 2| is secured to the fixed horizontal arm'I through the medium of a bolt I5 and nut I9 of the character shown inFig. 3.

The improved thread tensioning devices described above, are alsodesigned to function as automatic stops for the purpose of cutting ofi.'power to the winding machine, in event of breakage of one of thethreads. The automatic stop arrangement is formed by insulating the nxedhorizontal arms I from the support 3 by means of a rubber sleeve 22 orother insulating material, more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, thesupport rods 3 and 4 being suitably connected through conductors to asource of power and an electromagnetic device, not shown. The arms II ofthe individual tensioning devices are provided with inturned portions toform projections or contact members 23 whereby electrical connection iseffected, to complete the circuit between rods 3 and 4 when the pivotalarm I I drops down so that contact member 23 encounters rod 3, as shownin Fig. 2, wherein one of the arms is shown in the dotted line position,which it assumes in event that one of the threads becomes broken.

Referring to Fig. 5, a modified holder or support for a tensioningdevice is shown, adapted for use with standard machines. In someinstallations the bobbin I is mounted very close to the support membersor other parts of the winding machine frame used to mount the separatingwires or the thread tensioning devices. In view of the fact that thereis little space between the support members and the ends of the bobbins,it has been found that the tensioning devices and more particularly thesupports therefor of the character shown in Figure 1, are rather awkwardand sometimes difficult to manipulate, particularly in the threadingoperation and also to enable withdrawal or insertion of a bobbin upon aspindle. A modiiied form of bracket or support is therefore provided sothat the thread tensioning device may be moved about its point ofsupport so as to provide clearance in the vicinity in the front of thebobbin.

The bracket comprises a base member 24, the supporting end thereof beingformed with a attened section having inwardly turned portions adapted toform a recess which provides a seat for the member 2t mounted upon thevertical support 2l. The base portion 24 is maintained in the operativehorizontal position by means of inherent friction between the surfacesof this portion and member 26, together with spring 28 which fits aroundscrew member 29 by means of which the tension upon the bracket orsupport may be varied. The stationary arm 3e of the thread tensioningdevice is formed as a continuation of the base portion 24 and is similarin construction and arrangement to stationary arm of the tensioningdevices shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The pivotal arm 3l and the guide Wiremembers Iii and I4 are similar to the corresponding looped wires of Figs3 and 4. In this arrangement, the tensioning devices do not function asautomatic stops, since a faller arm together with porcelain threadguide, designated generally by numeral 32 is used. When it is desired toremove or replace a bobbin, arm member 24 is pulled downwardly to thedotted linel position, shown in Fig. 5, so that the area in front of thebobbin is clear. The base portion 24 is also provided with an opening 33in line with the normal horizontal opening formed between thefnestedloops of the guide wires, the opening being constructed and arranged sothat in normal operation the thread passes through its center, that is,the thread does not bear against the inner periphery of the opening.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, I Wish t to be understood that I do not confine myself to theprecise details of construction herein set forth, by way ofillustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations` may bemade therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from thespirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A thread tensioning device for Winding machines and the likecomprising a body portion having a support engaging section and openingsto receive a thread guiding member, an arm pivotally mounted upon saidbody portion adjacent the support engaging section, the arm beingprovided with openings to receive a thread guiding member, threadguiding members attached to the body portion and the pivotal arm, eachcomprising a wire formed With a plurality of loops, the ends of the wirebeing seated in the openings formed in the body portion and pivotal armrespectively, said guiding members comprising respectively a right andleft handed helix which intermesh and form a substantially continuousthread receiving vpassage through the helices when the pivotal arm is inthe horizontal position.

2. A thread tensioning device for winding machines and the likecomprising a body portion having a support engaging section formed atone end thereof and provided with a slot to receive an end of a threadguide member at the other end ofthe body portion, an arm pivotallymounted upon said body portion adjacent the support engaging section,said arm being formed with a slot to receive an end of a thread guidemember'at the end opposite its pivotal point, thread guiding membersattached to the body portion and the pivotal arm, each comprising a wireformed with a plurality of loops, the ends of the wire being seated inthe slots formed at the end of the body portion and the end of thepivotal arm, said guiding members comprising respectively a right andleft handed helix which intermesh and form a substantially continuousthread receiving passage through the helices when the pivotal arm is inthe horizontal position.

3. A thread tensoning device for Winding machines and the likecomprising a body portion having a support engaging section formed atone end thereof and provided with a slot to receive an end of a threadguide member at the other end of the body portion, an arm pivotallymounted upon said body portion adjacent the support engaging section,said arm being formed with a slot to receive an end of a thread guidemember at the end opposite its pivotal point, thread guiding membersattached to the body portion and to the pivotal arm, each comprising awire formed with a plurality of loops, the ends of the wire being seatedin the slots formed a1; the end of the body portion and the end of thepivotal arm, said guiding members comprising respectively a :right andleft handed helix which intermesh and form a substantially continuousthread receiving passage through the helices when the pivotal arm is inthe horizontal position.

4. A thread tensioning device for winding machines and the likecomprising a body portion having a support engaging section formed atone end thereof, the free end of the body portion being bent back uponitself to form a slot to receive an end of a thread guide member, an armpivotally mounted upon the body portion, the free end of the arm beingbent back upon itself to form a slot adapted to receive the end of athread guide member, thread guiding members attached to the body portionand the pivotal arm, each comprising a Wire formed with a plurality ofloops, the ends of the wire being seated in the slots formed at the endof the body portion and the end of the pivotal arm, said guiding memberscomprising respectively a right and left handed helix which intermeshand form a substantially continuous thread receiving passage through thehelices when the pivotal arm is in the horizontal position.

MICHAEL J. MCHALE.

